Palma.—Two men and a woman died yesterday when the light plane in which they were flying crashed on an estate in Marratxi near the Al Campo roundabout.

According to 061 emergency service sources, the fatal crash happened at 17.09 hrs, just nine minutes after the plane carrying two Spaniards, an Argentine and a Colombian, had taken off from Son Bonet airfield.

Sources at the airfield said that it was “on climb out just after take off.” The Cesna 172, owned by Aviation Centre, was being piloted by the 21-year-old man who escaped with his life but was said to have been in a critical condition in Son Llatzer Hospital last night.

The cause of the accident remained a mystery last night but a full investigation was already well under way.
Apparently, the aircraft had travelled seven kilometres before it came down near the Bon Sosec cemetery.
A fleet of ambulances from the 061 emergency service was on the scene within minutes along with paramedics, fire fighters and the police. But, despite the efforts of the medical teams, there was nothing they could have done to have saved the lives of the three victims, a man aged 22 and a couple aged 36, all they could do was stabilise the lone survivor before rushing him to hospital.

Afire fighter who was first on the scene also needed medical treatment for burns suffered as he battled the flames while an eyewitness who rushed to the scene as soon as the plane crashed was treated for the effects of smoke.

W E have been bombarded, at the ‘International department’, of late, with inquiries about the new EPC energy certificate. Some residents aren’t too sure what it means, what to do, or how it may affect them. Once again, this is not actually a Calviá Town Hall initiative, but I will do my best to explain briefly our understanding of it. Basically, EPC means ‘Energy Performance Certificate’. If you are about to sell or rent out a property, you must be in possession of an EPC energy certificate. This means that you have had a qualified professional check out the premises, and subsequently issue the official document. It is really, not just applicable to Spain, I am told it has been in the U.K. for 4 years already. This is all about carbon emissions, saving energy, and generally being more environmentally friendly. If you are a landlord with an existing tenant, there is no need for you to get the certificate now. But if and when, the time comes for you to change tenants, then you will need to obtain a certificate prior to the contract being signed. Likewise, if you are selling a property, you will need to have the certificate prior to the sale. The deadline, is actually the first of June 2013, so forgive me for being sceptical, but how can people across the whole of Spain possibly all get the cert issued on time, it is rather a tight deadline to say the least. That said, it’s my job to inform you, and so my advice to you is to source a qualified professional to do it for you, and then you are fully complying with the law. The cost is apparently anything from 175€ to several hundred euros, depending on the size of the property. It doesn’t mean that you have to rush to get double glazing put in straight away, there is a grading system. A is for ‘top notch’good marks, and ‘G’ being the less favourable. If you do, in time , take measures to improve energy saving, your grade can be changed. I know there will be more questions, such as what about holiday rentals ( not even going there ), and what happens if we don’t get the EPC cert. The information that I have is that the applicable fines range from 3000€ to 600.000€, so my advice is to get the job done.

S OME time ago, I mentioned that the IFOC ( Institute of Training and Employment ) were introducing Co- Working Calviá. This is now up and running, with some places still available. If you are setting up in business, and do not want the hassle and cost of renting a full time, full scale office, IFOC Calviá can help. They have a scheme whereby you can rent out shared office space for part of a day/week/month. It’s a great idea, and is very reasonable, which let’s face it, money saving is an absolute bonus to any business owner, be it new or established businesses.

The great thing about this scheme, is that you will also be entitled to expert advice and assistance from the IFOC staff, you will be in a business environment with like minded people, and all of the running overheads, such as heating, electricity, internet etc. are included.

There is free access to the conference room too. Costs range from 50€ per month to 150€ per month, depending on the length of time that you sign up for. For more information, contact IFOC at emprendedores@ifoc.es or call 971 134613 between 9am and 2.30pm on weekdays
G REAT news for families with kiddies at school, that Calviá Town hall can once again, for 2013, offer financial assistance with the purchase of school text books. To qualify you must have been registered on the Padronal ( Town hall register) since at least January 2013, and the children must be in state school, primary or secondary education. The application period is from May 20th up until June 21st. There are of course terms and conditions and it is also linked to income and tax declarations. For more information check the Calvia website, contact Social Services or pop in and see Sally or Marta at the ‘International department’ who can point you in the right direction.

Y OU may have noticed some rather funky and cool artwork, on walls in and around the municipality. No I’m not talking about graffiti here, but actual artwork which enhances the image of 7 actual buildings, such as Palmanova Service Centre, C’as Saboners apartments, C’as Saboners school, Es Generador, the Endesa caseta in Capdella, the Pavillion in Galatzó, and the IES Calvia. It’s all part of an “ Urban art” project called BETART, which is aimed at “ bringing art to the street”. There are plans for more works of art to be developed, throughout the municipality, in 2013. I think it’s all very ‘New York’, and upbeat and I actually quite like it.

B ETWEEN this week and last week we held two “end of term” ceremonies. Our “Teatime chat” and “Spanish lessons for residents” courses, have both come to an end. They will, of course, be back in Autumn time, and we hope that more of you will join in the fun of learning and practising your language skills. Whilst the two concepts are very different, both have been very successful. “Tea time chat” is all about chatting over a glass of wine or a coffee, in an informal setting, just to practice what you already know and therefore become more fluent. “Spanish classes” are actually classroom sessions with a teacher, in which you learn basic or intermediate grammar. Whichever is your preferred style of learning, is available for you, in fact you can attend both ( some people do ) and enjoy the best of both worlds. What has been really lovely to see, on both occasions, are the friendships that have been built between people of different nationalities. Learning together for many, has not been just about the language, but a whole exchange of ideas, culture, traditions and lifestyles. The atmosphere was one of fun and laughter at both events. As students came forward to get their diplomas, there was much cheering and applause. We look forward to welcoming them back next Autumn and hope to see even more of you taking advantage of this popular activity. Our thanks too, go to the bars which hosted “Tea time chat”. Aroma ,El Toro, Harry’s ,Portals, La Cartuja, Palmanova, and Steppes, Santa Ponsa. “Gracias a todos !” T ODAY Saturday, Balearic International College are holding their “ Walk for life” to raise funds for Cancer support. This is done in conjunction with Calanova Cancer Care and Krista Hyer’s cancer support group. As from 10am you will see groups of adults and schoolchildren, taking the 5 kilometre walk, around the Magalluf area, in order to help others. Afterwards the school will be holding a fundraising event, this will be hosted by Laura Penn and the gang from Spectrum radio. I’m sure there will be fun and games. To join in, attend the event or offer support, you can get more information from Linda 629 632 051 or Angela 609 848 622. Hope to see you there! A ND just to finish off, a message to a special couple. “Dear Michelle and Gonzalo, I hope you have time to read this Bulletin message early in the morning, before your hectic day starts. Your wedding day has arrived !. Later today I will be very honoured to marry you, at a beautiful location, with your friends and families from different countries of Europe. It is going to be amazing, so enjoy every single moment. See you at the wedding, Congratulations ! much love from Angie”.

I absolutely love my job, Happy weekend ! Angie x
PS Next week I am focusing on the Residencia card..... it has NOT been forgotten.

Palma.—A Majorcan judge yesterday ordered an investigation into the tax affairs of King Juan Carlos’s youngest daughter, Princess Cristina the Duchess of Palma, adding to the woes of the scandal-hit royal family.

Judge Jose Castro in Palma demanded the tax authorities provide him with a report on Cristina’s property and non-property assets, investment funds, financial assets and deposits, a copy of the order showed. The judge is presiding over an inquiry into allegations of embezzlement against the 47-year-old princess’ husband, the former Olympic handball player Iñaki Urdangarin.

Respite
Cristina won some respite on May 7 when judges spared her for the time being from being called into court to be questioned as a formal suspect in the embezzlement case.

But they said she may yet be summoned to the court in Palma in another branch of the affair: a tax and money-laundering case also linked to her husband.

Castro is investigating accusations that Urdangarin and his former business partner Diego Torres embezzled six million euros in public funds meant for sports events through their Noos Institute.

Some of the funds came from the Balearic government then presided over by Jaume Matas who is also embroiled in a series of alleged corruption cases.
Charged
The money was allegedly placed in the non-profit Noos Institute, which Urdangarin chaired from 2004 to 2006 and of which Cristina was a board member.
Neither she nor Urdangarin has been charged with any crime.
There were further developments yesterday in the investigation.
Castro subpoenaed another 25 witnesses which he would like to question in Palma and amongst those is the former chairman of Barcelona Football Club and leading hotelier, Joan Gaspart.

The news will only cause further embarrassment for the Spanish royal family which has been fighting a losing battle recently to improve its image and its ratings in the opinion polls.

Urdangarin has already been asked to no longer use his title, the Duke of Palma, and a street named in their honour has been reverted to its original name amidst calls for them both to be stripped of their title by opposition parties here in Majorca.

Palma.—The Central Government Delegate to the Balearics, Teresa Palmer, yesterday unveiled plans for a joint police operation to tighten security in the main holiday resorts.

For the first time ever, the operation will involve the National Police, the Guardia Civil and the Local Police and their targets will be illegal street vendors and street prostitutes which are prone to violence and also mug their victims.

Palmer’s first port of call on April 30 was Calvia where she held talks with the council and representatives from the various police forces in the area to look for solutions to the annual problems caused by illegal traders and illegal immigrants preying on holiday makers.

Yesterday, she held her final meeting with police chiefs and announced that the operation is going to be mounted this summer with special attention being given to Calvia and the Playa de Palma.

Already, we have seen the national police smash a highly organised gang of pick pockets in Palma and the police have also been given extra powers to deal with the street prostitutes, many of which are in the country illegally.

Over the past six months, nine women have been arrested in Calvia for mugging tourists.
And, only last week, hundreds of traders and residents marched through the Playa de Palma in protests of the state prosecution’s recent decision to overrule last year’s restraining order introduced by Palma City Council banning illegal street traders, con artists and prostitutes from the front line of the resort.

So, yesterday’s announcement has been welcomed by resort business people, residents and the tourist industry at large.